Trapp Trail Ride on the MEGA Muni
Posted by Jeff Putnam on September 09, 2011
Over Labor day weekend, I spent the weekend in Stowe, VT. for a family visit, and to check out the often suggested Trails @ Trapp Family Lodge. (TFL) The trails do have a $10 fee to ride, so be sure to swing by the Outdoor center to pick up a trail access pass and map, as these trails are only available to staying guests and day pass holders. What you'll find is a terrific blend of single track, switchback, climbing, descents and technical riding stretching over 25 Miles of the property, and clearly marked green, blue and black trails.
Upon arrival, I was greeted by very friendly and accomodating Dana Jourdan, who is manager of MTB and Ski shop operations at TFL. I told Dana I would be riding the trails on the 36" Uni, and somehow they'd heard of me before. :-) Dana spent some extra time (much appreciated) giving me directions to the goods and laid out a great route all on trapp's property, starting with Stepping Stone,and it was the perfect terrain for the MEGA Muni. I spent this first half of the ride with an incidental meeting with an accomplished local author and local Stowe resident. We rode fast flowy intermediate single track and were greeted with some welcomed light rain showers to cool off some mid-afternoon humidity. The burms, whoops,and armored sections were all in terrific shape and I have a serious appreciation for the trail maintenance and care taken on this trail. It was sweet. :-)
I then followed Dana's direction back behind the Outdoor Center to the trailhead for Lodge Spur. This was a long moderately difficult gently switchbacking uphill, than will bring you to Luce Hill Loop. This is a very well designed trail with the perfect mix of flowy single track (aka Sniggle), switchback descents and uphills, and some technical root sections. Never once did feel the need to check the map as the trail is well marked, and you can really get some great speed in sections! I believe Dana mentioned 800 vertical feet of descent is on their property, so the Mountainuni Brake came in very handy on the downhill sections! Then there is Telemark Spur and Tapline off the Loop which I didn't have the time or the energy for, but will be sure to plan ahead and hit those next time.
In the end, it was a great experience and I would high recommend a trip to Trapps whether on a single wheel or two! I mentioned to the shop that I would like to bring back a small group of Unicyclists for some filming and cross promotion, you know who you are. Thanks for Reading!
Best, Jeff